Ring gate-latch.



R. A. WILLIAMS.

RING GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 1916.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

j m I ROLLIN A. WILLIAMS, OF LIMA, OHIO.

RING GATE-LATCH.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

Application filed November 4, 1916. Serial No. 129,502.

an'automatic double acting ring gate latch for retaining a gate in closed position regardless of the direction from which the gate has been swung to such position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be quickly and easily moved to release the gate.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a gate latch of the class described which may be applied to any of the existing types of hinged gates without materially altering the structure of the gate.

\Vhile my invention is described hereinafter as being applied to a hinged gate it 1s, of course, to be understood that by slight changes the same may be applied to sliding gates. Q

Other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of my improved gate latch will appear from thefollowing detailed description and the claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a gate showing a gate latch applied thereto, embodying the improvements of my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the latch device; and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference designate like and corresponding parts throughout the various views, H designates in its entirety the housing of my improved latch, the same having a top wall 10 and side and end walls 11 and 12, respectively. The

bottom of the housing is open as indicated at 13. The housing is secured to a fence post P by means of a pair of bolts 14 and 15 said bolts extending through the side walls of the housing and into the post.

The locking elements of my invention include apair of rings 16 and 17 suspended upon the bolts 14: and 15, respectively, the

greater portions of said rin s extending beyond the housing as best 5 own in Fig. 2. An arm 18is carried by the end portion of the gate G, and the rings 16 and 17 are dis posed in the path of travel of said arm to be engaged thereby as best shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

I provide means for withdrawing the ring into the housing out of the path of travel of the arm 18, said means including a vertically reciprocable rod 19 having a handle 20 in threaded connection with the upper end thereof. A laterally extending head 21 is formed on the lower end of the rod 19, the

free ends of the head being bent to provide tapered hook members 22 and 23 for engagement with the rings 16 and 17. The rod 19 passes, through an opening 24 formed in the top wall 10 of the housing 8.

In use when the gate is swung to the closed position the arm 18 will engage one of the rings 16 or 17 swinging the same upwardly into the housing H, the bolts 14: or 15 as the case may be acting as pivot points for the ring. When the arm reaches a point between the rings, both of the rings maintain the positions shown in Fig. 2 restraining said arm against movement. If an attempt is made to move the gate the arm 18 will engage the ring which is in its path of movement, this ring binding against the bottom margin of'one of the end walls of the housing and one of the, bolts, in this Way restraining the gate against movement. To unlatc h the gate an upward pull' is directed upon the rod 19, this raising the rings out of the path of movement of the arm 18 and permitting opening of the gate.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided a gate latch which is extremely simple, is compact and embodies no springs or other unreliable retaining elements.

The device cannot be materially afiected by weather coliditions, is strong and durable, may be cheaply manufactured and quickly and easily installed on any type of swinging gate.

The element of wear on .the parts is practically negligible since under normal conditions there will be no wear either upon the retaining bolts or upon the rings.

From the above description .taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it

understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and while I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1;In a gate latch, the combination with a post and a gate having an arm extending therefrom, of a housing mounted on the post movement of said arm, means for withdrawing said rings from the path of movement of said arm including a vertically movable rod projecting from the upper end of said housing, a handle on the upper end of said rod, a head on the lower end of said rod, saidhead being provided with hooks for engagement with said rings.

2. In a latch, the combination of a housing and latch rings normally disposed beyond the same, means for supporting the housing on a gate post and for supporting said rings, and a rod having a head formed with hooks for engagement with said rings to withdraw the same into the-housing.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

' ROLLIN A. WILLIAMS. 

